Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today outlined the achievements of his 13-year government which included distribution of rice at cheaper rates, PDS system and interest free loan to farmers.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today outlined the achievements of his 13-year government which included distribution of rice at cheaper rates, PDS system and interest free loan to farmers. “It is the trust and support of people of Chhattisgarh which give me strength to take decisions and implement them,” Singh, who is completing 13 years in office tomorrow, said addressing mediapersons this evening. “When we came to power in 2003, the state was facing several problems including Naxalism but now the situation has changed. In 2003, the budget of the state was Rs 7,000 crore which has now expanded to a whopping Rs 78,000 crore,” he said, adding, “The state is attracting maximum industrial investment across the country.”

The CM exuded confidence that the state will soon get rid of the menace of Left Wing Extremism (LWE). “The way Maoist problem was eliminated from Sarguja (northern Chhattisgarh bordering Jharkhand and Odisha), Bastar will also soon get out of clutches of Naxalism,” the chief minister said.

He, however, added it was not possible to predict the exact time by when the Naxalism will end as it is not only the problem of Chhattisgarh but also of its adjoining states.

Singh informed that over 58 lakh families are being provided benefits through Mukhyamantri Khadyann Sahayta Yojana under which rice, salt and gram are given at cheaper rates.

Farmers in the state are today availing loan facility at zero per cent interest.

In last 13 years, 5.6 crore metric tonnes of paddy has been procured and Rs 53,000 crore paid to the farmers against procurement, the CM added.

Terming the Centre’s demonetisation decision as a direct attack on corruption and terrorism, Singh said his government is taking measures to promote cashless transactions.

Around 10 lakh people in the state will be made digitally literate on cashless transaction by December 31 this year and later they will act as “digital army” to propagate the idea in the society, he said.

Highlighting the ongoing projects in the state, he said under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 25 lakh women will be provided free domestic LPG connection in next two years.

Similarly, under Prime Minister Housing Scheme, each of the poor family will be provided housing facility by year 2022, while under Saur Sujala Yojana, 51 poor families will be provided solar-irrigation pumps of 5 HP and 3 HP at subsidised rates, he added.

BJP returned to power for the third consecutive time in 2013 Assembly election in the state.